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A Cardboard Lifesaver

When I first moved into my new place, a few things became apparent. Quickly.

I knew exactly what I had too much of (anything made from paper), too little of (forks), and ultimately what would drive me insane (sitting on the floor to tie my shoes).

The paper, I couldn’t get rid of fast enough, I contemplated fire, and I’m still not sure how I lost or disposed of that many metal forks, but there are less of them now and I have learned to cope. However the last problem really got to me.

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The stool is very light, I took mine home on a crowded subway no problem.

You can choose to put yours together however you want, but the standard method is alternating the grey pieces with the colored pieces.

The instructions are relatively straight forward but I have a habit of looking very serious while reading directions, I get it from my dad.

I’m clearly amazed at what I’m doing.

This is how I’d imagine a cardboard nuclear reactor to look. Exactly how.

Once you slot one of the slats in there’s an “ah-ha moment” that speeds up the rest.

Top view before I fold it closed.

When finished it really is a beautiful piece.

If Apple designed the sign for ‘nuclear weapons’.

I’m a no-shoes-in-the-house guy.

My old space had the “office” in the only place I could put it “conveniently” located next to the front door. I could sit down, lace my winter boots and turn the doorknob without getting up. That’s no longer the case and it was making me crazy.

I found the Riki Stool and knew I wouldn’t end up in Central Park talking to animals.

Designed by Riki Watanabe as part of the Carton Furniture series in 1965, it was resurrected by the MoMA Store late in 2013. The perfect chair for carrying back and forth between the two entrances to our apartment since it’s made entirely out of cardboard. The small footprint and bright colors contrast well against our black, white and stainless kitchen while the geometric nature feels contemporary; the stool is never out of place no matter where I put it.

I’ve used it to lace up my boots and as impromptu seating in the living room for a party. The structural integrity of corrugated cardboard and science allow it to hold up to 1000 lbs. and I can’t tell you how often someone’s asked if they can sit on it. Putting it together is a bit like origami but that’s where most of the strength comes from. Needless to say the stool is flat packed and fully recyclable, just don’t get it wet. It’s still cardboard.